Question 1

what are the tests for poliomyelitis?

Accepted Answer

See below:: Tests include:
cultures of throat washings, stools, or cerebrospinal fluid (csf); routine CSF examination; test for levels of antibodies to the polio virus. 
A physician may find: abnormal reflexes; back stiffness; difficulty lifting the head or legs when lying flat on the back; stiff neck ; & trouble bending the neck.

Question 2

what are the symptoms of poliomyelitis?

Accepted Answer

Depends on type: There are two forms of poliomyelitis- the first does not cause long term muscle and nerve damage and has symptoms such as fever, headaches and GI symptoms- the paralytic form may have those symptoms plus signs of muscle weakness and floppy arms or legs
Here is a helpful summary 
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/polio/basics/symptoms/CON-20030957

Question 3

i've heard different things. what exactly is poliomyelitis?

Accepted Answer

Also called Polio: Poliomyelitis refers to the infection of the motor nerves of spinal cord, and brainstem caused by the polio virus.  It was not uncommon to have polio before the salk vaccine.  Actual 'poliomyelitis' in which the spinal cord and brainstem were injured to the point of paralysis occurred in .1 to 2.0 percent of infected individuals.

Question 4

is poliomyelitis curable?

Accepted Answer

Prevention is best: The response to polio infection is unpredictable. If you are in the 5-10% of unimmunized folks that develop poliomyelitis, treatment is limited to supportive care.The diseases distroys nerves in the brain or spinal cord and survival depends mostly on what nerves are distroyed & complications.If you survive for >2wks your future may require extensive rehab and assistive devices. Get vaccinated!

Question 5

will poliomyelitis kill me?

Accepted Answer

Usually not: In more than 90% of cases, polio does not affect the brain or spinal cord. Complete recovery is then expected. However, when the brain an spinal cord are affected, chances of death increase, but recovery with disability is more common than death.

Question 6

is polymyositis related with poliomyelitis?

Accepted Answer

No: Polymyositis is a nonspecific term describing inflammation of  "many muscles" at the same time. It implys pain & swelling in the muscle itself and microscopic exam of a biopsy may show inflammatory cells. In polio the nerves are the target of the inflamation not muscle, and changes in strength and muscle function are due to nerve damage.

Question 7

what are the differences between poliovirus and poliomyelitis?

Accepted Answer

Germ/condition: Poliovirus is an enterovirus that is well known for producing paralytic poliomyelitis in some of those infected by the germ. Myelitis is a condition where the nerve cells are injured. Poliomyelitis defines the injury as caused by the poliovirus.

Question 8

what is the classification for polio (poliomyelitis)?

Accepted Answer

Viral infection: Polio is essentially nonexistent in most of the world, but persists in Iran.  It was a viral infection affecting children during mainly warmer weather.  It predominantly attacked motor nerve cells in spinal cord, and in some cases afflicted breathing, requiring an "iron lung".  The Salk and Sabin vaccines stopped the disease COLD!!!

Question 9

how can a person catch poliomyelitis?

Accepted Answer

Exposure to virus: The oral secretions of an infected patient are contageous before the onset of symptoms & up to two weeks. The patients stool will contain virus for weeks. You can be exposed to droplets of a cough& the virus can be active for days at room temperature on surfaces. Touch it & touch your mouth & you are exposed. It is a human to human only germ, no pets or insects.

Question 10

how can poliomyelitis be transmitted?

Accepted Answer

Oral secretion/stool: The virus is active in the oral secretions of an infected patient from shortly before the onset of symptoms for up to 2 weeks. It is excreted in the stool for several weeks after the onset of illness. The virus is stable for days at room temperature. Contact with any viral material on hands or inhaled as droplets can pass the infection.

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Pathophysiology of poliomyelitis

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What are the tests for poliomyelitis?

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I've heard different things. what exactly is poliomyelitis?

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Is poliomyelitis curable?

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Will poliomyelitis kill me?

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Is polymyositis related with poliomyelitis?

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What are the differences between poliovirus and poliomyelitis?

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What is the classification for polio (poliomyelitis)?

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How can a person catch poliomyelitis?

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How can poliomyelitis be transmitted?

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